DIY microphone kits in Europe

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HHHabba

Member
Joined
May 27, 2020
Messages
5
Hi, first post...

I just started researching about DIY mics, but most kit suppliers (micparts, dachman, vintagemicrophonepcbkit, etc...), are based in America. Does anyone know a source which is based or ships from Europe? Taxation in Belgium has recently gone way up on packages ordered outside of the EU. 'micandmod.com' seems to ship from France, but their kits are considerably more pricy than the other sellers.

I mean, most of the components I could probably source via the EU I guess. But the PCB, mic housing and capsule might be an other story. Right?

Any EU connaisseurs around here?

Thanks!
 
When scrolling the forum, I guess most people are constantly looking for the parts I'm having trouble finding in the EU. The PCB is what's keeping me puzzled. There must be a possibility to just make one in perfboard? Are there any circulating schematics?

Still open for tips on affordable EU kits, as I'm a beginner.
 
Huh, that’s funny, I got opposite situation when it comes to diy pcbs, it’s easier to find supplier in Europe. Here is some usuful links where you can start looking:

https://www.gyraf.dk/gy_pd/g7/gic.htmhttps://store.studio939.com/https://www.micandmod.com/
First guy got a huge massive of useful information about diy in gerenal. Second link is where I would order next. They got pcb for a reasonable prices but bodies almost always out of stock. So if you looking for all in one kit situation maybe last one would be more useful. I don’t know... As soon as I built a few compressors 500 series from kits I decide to take mostly pcb only projects. The first reason is price (honestly), but the second you will go deeper in topic. All depends on your expectations from “diy experience”:)

Anyway, good luck. What mic do you plan to put together?
 
When scrolling the forum, I guess most people are constantly looking for the parts I'm having trouble finding in the EU. The PCB is what's keeping me puzzled. There must be a possibility to just make one in perfboard? Are there any circulating schematics?

Still open for tips on affordable EU kits, as I'm a beginner.
I have built several of my mic on 'perf board', based on my notes here: http://www.jp137.com/lts/LDCX2.notes.pdf
Or if you want to try something a bit different, maybe something based on my DIY RF mic? See here: www.amx.jp137.com
Neither are commercial 'kits' but you should be able to source all the parts easily enough in the EU.. although the mic bodies (either BM800 types or cheap U87 style bodies) will probably need to be sourced via Aliexpress in China..
And it should all cost a LOT less than the mostly rather expensive commercial DIY mic 'kits' ....
 
Huh, that’s funny, I got opposite situation when it comes to diy pcbs, it’s easier to find supplier in Europe. Here is some usuful links where you can start looking:

https://www.gyraf.dk/gy_pd/g7/gic.htmhttps://store.studio939.com/https://www.micandmod.com/
First guy got a huge massive of useful information about diy in gerenal. Second link is where I would order next. They got pcb for a reasonable prices but bodies almost always out of stock. So if you looking for all in one kit situation maybe last one would be more useful. I don’t know... As soon as I built a few compressors 500 series from kits I decide to take mostly pcb only projects. The first reason is price (honestly), but the second you will go deeper in topic. All depends on your expectations from “diy experience”:)

Anyway, good luck. What mic do you plan to put together?
Great! Thanks!

I'll probably start out building a U78 style mic I guess, since they're the most documented and I could actually use a good, somewhat brighter condenser mic for vocals. I love the U47 sound, but I already own 2 ribbon mics which kinda give me similar flavors when tweaked right. Are there some builds or other alternatives you can recommend for what I'm trying to achieve?
 
I have built several of my mic on 'perf board', based on my notes here: http://www.jp137.com/lts/LDCX2.notes.pdf
Or if you want to try something a bit different, maybe something based on my DIY RF mic? See here: www.amx.jp137.com
Neither are commercial 'kits' but you should be able to source all the parts easily enough in the EU.. although the mic bodies (either BM800 types or cheap U87 style bodies) will probably need to be sourced via Aliexpress in China..
And it should all cost a LOT less than the mostly rather expensive commercial DIY mic 'kits' ....
This is great. Thanks for sharing.

Do you have some audio examples of this first circuit by any chance?
 
This is great. Thanks for sharing.

Do you have some audio examples of this first circuit by any chance?
Here's a very short spoken word clip, comparing the LDCX2 mic with a Rode NT1 (2014 black version).

This LDCX2 example was fitted with a K.47 type capsule from wgtcenter - see here:
Pro Microphone 34mm Large Mylar Capsule Diaphragm Condenser Element K47 K49 M7 Mount for Neumann DIY Replacement One-sided

As it says , it's 'raw' - no EQ and no processing.... so in this sample C7 was not fitted.....

Apart from the mic ident, the audio was a simultaneous recording.

View attachment K47 then NT1.mp3
 
Last edited:
Cool, thanks for the recording! I just ordered a K47 capsule to replace the one in my Rode NT1A.
 

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